We Have a Little Garden
by
Beatrix Potter

We have a little garden,
A garden of our own,
And every day we water there
The seeds that we have sown.

We love our little garden,
And tend it with such care,
You will not find a faded leaf
Or blighted blossom there.

Summer Beach Reads Contest!
( a $120 value)

DRAWING CLOSED

How to Enter: Send me an e-mail sharing one of your most cherished summertime memories.

Did you pack your bags and head off to summer camp with your BFF, visit grandparents, or another relative? Maybe you took a fantastic once in a lifetime trip, enjoyed a backyard vacation with your family, or escaped on a weekend getaway with girlfriends.

I'll post some entries in future updates.

Your summer reading fare includes: Flight Patterns by Karen White, Starlight on Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs, Someday Home by Lauraine Snelling, The Sea Keeper's Daughters by Lisa Wingate, From Here to Home by Marie Bostwick, and The Last Midwife by Sandra Dallas

*** U.S. entries only please

Summer Fun in the Neighborhood

Do you remember the games we played as children?

We ran around outdoors, soaking up vitamin D in the sunshine. We played games like, Duck, Duck, Goose, Hot Potato, Red Light, Green Light, Red Rover, Jump Rope, Hopscotch, and London Bridge. Because I grew up with an older brother who played on a winter ice hockey team, I played field hockey with him and his friends during the summer. He and I also played Cops & Robbers, and basketball.

Loren and I have played some of these games with our grandchildren. Most of them love basketball, so when they come to stay we choose a word like giraffe, watermelon, or if were short on time cow or pig. Each time you score a point you add a letter. First shot you make you score G, second shot you score I, and so on until you spell the whole word. The first one to spell Giraffe wins the game.

You can find a list of traditional children's games at Wikipedia. For directions, click on the game you wish to play.

"What we feel, think, and do this moment influences both our present and the future in ways we may never know. Begin. Start right where you are. Consider your possibilities and find inspiration ... to add more meaning and zest to your life." ~ Alexandra Stoddard

Readers Share - Fabulous Uniquely You!!!

Loretta - Gosh, I don't like to toot my own horn. I think my most endearing feature is that I smile at people all the time. It makes it easy to start conversations, and I am pretty good at that! I think it all starts with the smile first.

Renate - My family and I immigrated to the USA after the war in 1952. I was 13 yrs. old and could not speak English but studied hard and graduated from High School at 16 in 1955. I love reading and I believe that has really helped me with the language. Our home place now belongs to Poland but we all became American Citizens and are very proud of it.

Denise - Most people recognize or remember me for my tangled mess of curls. I don't hate my curls, in fact, I've come to embrace them. God gave them to me, and it does make me stand out and be unique. I don't like to call it my "crowning glory" because I think I am more than my hair, and I don't think God would want me to be vain about it. But the gift of the curls is a blessing, because it forces one to accept all parts of oneself, not focus on things others see as flaws, and to use that energy for good works.

Sherri - I really don't think there is anything special nor unique about me, I am boring as dirt, plain and old-fashioned, just one person in a world of millions trying to survive life's troubles with God's help.

Tracy - I am unique because I teach 1st graders which means I have to have patience. Be understanding. Have a strong stomach. (Accidents/sickness). And I am responsible for about 20 kids every year and must teach them to read and I love the challenge.

Sonja - Unique about myself? I have a job which helps people of European ancestry find their ancestors at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. I translate the old documents for patrons, help locate their records and basically help them to rediscover their pasts while all the time working on my own ancestors as well. It is an unusual occupation. I love it and am glad it "found me"!

Claudia - I'm tall and have always carried myself with pride. As a 40-year teacher, retired, I hope I taught my students to carry themselves with pride, whether they were tall or not.

Linda - I have nothing unique about me, I am a housewife of 43 years, a mom and grandma to two grandchildren that are growing faster every day before my eyes. I learned to crochet at the age of 8 years old by my paternal grandmother. Filet crochet was her specialty. I love to sew, bake, gardening and crafts, and I Love to read!! My greatest joy is raising two wonderful children into becoming responsible and independent adults. The love of God, Family and Friends is the unending circle in our family.

Mom's Broccoli Salad

Mom's salad has long been a favorite at our family get-togethers. Can you imagine broccoli tops out as the most requested dish by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren? It's true, after our mob gathers for a meal she usually takes home an empty serving bowl.

2 1/2 Cups Broccoli - Discard bottom inch of stem. Peel remaining stem, and cut stem and crown into small bite-sized pieces.
1 Cup Carrots, sliced
2 teas. Italian Seasoning
1/2 -5.75 oz. jar Green Olives, drained
1/2 - 6oz. can Black Olives, drained
1/4 Cup Rice Vinegar

Blanch vegetables until tender, but still a bit crisp. Drain. Pour ice water over vegetables, stir, and drain. Place in serving bowl. Add seasoning, olives, and rice vinegar. Toss salad and refrigerate. Stir a couple more times and keep refrigerated until serving.

An Anchor for Our Soul

The crazier the world grows the more I need to anchor myself in Jesus- the One who never changes.

An angry wind appears to be blowing through our society. People seem easily offended and lack grace. As this disturbing trend erupts throughout our culture, I find a safe harbor in Jesus. I need him to steady my little ship and bring peace to my heart during troubled times.

How about you? Do you need an anchor?

Fasten yourself tight to the Lord who loves each one of us, and the God who never fails.

His love for you is constant -
I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you. ~Jeremiah 31:3

His mercy for you is new every morning -
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~Lamentations 3:22-23

He always has your best interest foremost on his mind -
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11